We've all had itthe dreaded "I want to watch this; he wants to watch that" debate. Allow us to suggest compromises you'll both enjoy for a fight-free flick night.

We've all had it—the dreaded "I want to watch this; he wants to watch that" debate. Allow us to suggest compromises you'll both enjoy for a fight-free flick night.

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Everett Collection

Romantic Tearjerker: His Pick

The Professional
From Gary Oldman chewing up the scenery as a dope-dealing crooked cop to Natalie Portman as the ingénue who falls for a middle-aged, mentally-challenged hitman who can't read, this tragic early May/late December romantic tearjerker has it all. It also somehow manages to retain its innocence despite its creepy Lolita theme (as long as you don't think about it too much). Show me the person who doesn't get a little misty during the scene where [SPOILER ALERT] Leon and Mathilda share their final goodbye before he shoots and explodes his way out of the building in which they were hiding. Leon was so close to having a real life, but he knew it wasn't meant to be—and his final sacrifice proves to be the wind beneath Mathilda's wings.

The Notebook
Sometimes a girl just needs a little sappy romance featuring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ epic kiss in the rain (emphasis on the Gosling part), you know? She waited for him for seven years. He wrote to her every day. I’ll stop quoting the movie verbatim now – I need to get some tissues, anyway. Remember: I could have asked him to watch A Walk to Remember or Dear John. The Notebook is getting off easy.

His Rebuttal: This movie is like bedbugs: Every dude is worried about discovering The Notebook in his apartment and suddenly having an itchy suspicion that he's being held to an unattainable Goslonian standard of romance. I's not real folks; not like The Professional. Also why does Rachel McAdams have to play Cyclops (a.k.a James Marsden, who played Cyclops in X-Men and Ryan Gosling's romantic rival in The Notebook) like that? What did Cyclops/James Marsden do to deserve getting played by his lady in every movie? Poor Cyclops—at least he’s one of the X-Men.

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Everett Collection

Romantic Tearjerker: The Compromise

Cocoon
All the genre-bending goodness of The Professional combined with The Notebook's sad old folks. This sci-fi epic about aliens, the fountain of youth, and the elderly of southern Florida is a real think piece—plus, '80s icon Steve Guttenberg in it. It makes you think about growing older with the people you love, and ultimately having to say goodbye to them all. It also makes you think about Steve Guttenberg getting it on with an alien. These are all great reasons why this is a great romantic tearjerker compromise (Warning: The scene with Hume Cronyn and his wife in the pool is almost too sad.)

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Everett Collection

Sci-Fi: His Pick

Predator
Schwarzenegger, Weathers, and Ventura all in their prime and not talking about politics—it almost doesn't get any better than that. It's like an unholy union of 'roid-radness muscling its way onto your TV screen to battle a shimmery invisible alien that has a face like a crab and a taste for human skull trophies. This movie represents everything that was good about the '80s and helps explain why so many of us guys who grew up during that enchanted time are so severely emotionally stunted 20 years later.

Her Rebuttal: I know he's Mr. Universe, but I have trouble rectifying present-day Arnold Schwarzenegger with any of his old movie work. We'll always have The Terminator, though, Arnold.

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Everett Collection

Sci-Fi: Her Pick

Avatar
If I’m going to watch science fiction, there needs to be a love story involved. But please don’t speak to me in Na’vi.

His Rebuttal: This movie is like a Bread and Puppet performance on the big lawn at UVM—you think its very profound until you sober up.

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Everett Collection

Sci-Fi: The Compromise

Alien
All the awesome ‘80s monsterness of Predator with none of the lingering aftertaste of Avatar. Plus, there's a sweet love story between Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and Jonesie, her mischievous feline companion. And if you want to turn your sci-fi evening into a double feature, watch the Alien sequel, Aliens ("This time it's plural" probably should have been the tagline), because it provides an important window on a time when James Cameron actually knew how to make an awesome science fiction movie.

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Everett Collection

Chick Flick: His Pick

Steel Magnolias
If we're gonna do this, we're gonna do it right. "Oh guys don't like chick flicks—they can't handle them." Whatever. If I'm going to watch a chick flick, I'm keeping it real: Think The Joy Luck Club, Thelma & Lousie, Steel Magnolias, Water for Elephants, or The Astronaut's Wife. You name it, I can take it. I eat Amy Tan for breakfast!

Her Rebuttal: I have no problem with Steel Magnolias, but when I'm in the mood for a "chick flick," I want a light, fluffy confection that requires no thinking, heartbreak, or emotional attachment beyond "Mark Ruffalo sure is cute!"

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Everett Collection

Chick Flick: Her Pick

13 Going on 30
A teenager’s birthday wish coming true in a Big-style comedy featuring Mark Ruffalo and the normally-stoic Jennifer Garner doing the “Thriller” dance? Best clear the living room; it’s time to bust a move.

His Rebuttal: This seems like a soft option—not nearly enough astronauts, elephants, or Dolly Parton.

Chinatown
This is a gross movie about disgusting and depressing people—but that doesn't mean it isn't one of those films that you should see several times before you die.

Her Rebuttal: Again: I like my date night movies sans sadness and detritus, thank you very much.

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Everett Collection

The Classics: Her Pick

Gone With the Wind
It’s one of the most romantic movies of all time, and if he can make it through at least an hour, I promise to recreate the famous “sweeping Scarlett off her feet and carrying her up the stairs” scene later tonight.

His Rebuttal: I used to think this was pretty great movie, but then I found out about Clark Gable's crippling halitosis, and I've never been able to watch it the same way since.

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Everett Collection

The Classics:The Compromise

The Godfather
It's perfect, except for when Appollonia dies. Everything would have been better for Michael if he didn't marry a new-style American woman like Kaye. Dammit, Kaye, can't you love the man and leave the rest alone?

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Rom-Com: His Pick

There's Something About MaryWho would have imagined that gross-out comedy wizards the Farrelly brothers had the emotional depth to make a romantic comedy with this much heart? That’s right: It’s got heart...and every other body part imaginable, plus a masturbation scene and Brett Favre (there’s a joke in there somewhere). It’s a rare artist who can combine all those elements and still come up with something that can be tentatively described as a romantic comedy. Look, just be happy I’m not pushing for Kingpin.

Her Rebuttal: I love There's Something About Mary as much as the next dude, but when I hear "rom-com," Cameron Diaz's infamous "hair gel" source material isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind.

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Rom-Com: Her Pick

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Remember when Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey were THE go-to romantic comedy stars? That all started because of this instant classic (you heard me: classic). You’d think guys would like it, too, since it teaches us womenfolk everything there is to know about what men like in their significant others. What I’m trying to say is that it’s basically an educational documentary about modern-day courtship and mating rituals.

His Rebuttal: Strangely enough, I don’t remember when Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson were the “go-to romantic comedy stars.” Maybe I’ve repressed my memories of that era of filmmaking—or maybe it never happened [Her: It totally happened]. By my count, Matthew McConaughey has been in three romantic comedies since 2003. I’m not sure if Failure To Launch even counts since it also stars Terry Bradshaw, and if Terry Bradshaw “acts” in something, I’m fairly certain it technically no longer qualifies as a “movie.” The point is, maybe there’s a good reason that the only place Matthew McConaughey was ever the “go to” rom-com star was in your head.

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Everett Collection

Rom Com: The Compromise

When Harry Met Sally
For years I’ve read articles about the decline and fall of the once powerful cinematic force that was the "Romantic Comedy." My argument for the feeble state of the genre (I’m looking at you, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days) is that it’s hard to follow a movie like When Harry Met Sally. It was&mash;and remains—that good. A romantic comedy that didn’t treat either sex like complete morons and also didn’t feel like it wasn’t totally contrived – it sounds easy, but as evidenced by what’s followed, it’s a formula that seems surprisingly difficult to repeat.

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Action: His Pick

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
George Lazenby. That’s right, you heard me. The man was in one Bond movie, and it just happened to be one of the best—if not the best. It’s a Bond film that should appeal to the romantics out there since Bond’s tough exterior is finally cracked, and he ends up getting married. You’ll just have to see what happens after that. George Lazenby...go ahead, say it. The wind whispers "Laaaaaazenby."

Her Rebuttal: There's a reason George Lazenby only made one Bond movie before Sean Connery resumed the role he was born to play. Since my brother already made me watch the entire James Bond oeuvre when we were younger, I don't really need to revisit the reason why Lazenby couldn't hack it as Bond, James Bond. Any time you want to revisit Daniel Craig walking out of the ocean in that blue Speedo; however, I'm totally available.

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Action: Her Pick

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
To some, it’s movie that launched "Brangelina." Really, it’s a lesson in the politics of marriage and why you can’t keep secrets from your husband/wife (especially if you’re an assassin, because your spouse will find out about that. You may get off the hook if he’s also a paid killer, though.). And, thanks to this movie, I will never listen to NWA’s “Express Yourself” the same way again.

His Rebuttal: This maybe the greatest spy thriller ever, but I have too much respect for what Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt shared to ever watch this. Justttt kidding. I won’t watch this movie because it’s a spy movie in the same way There's Something About Mary is a romantic comedy, and that is in name only. This is really a movie about a problem marriage; it’s like watching The Squid and the Whale with stupid special effects and explosions. Pro tip: If you like the premise of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prizzi’s Honor, starring Jack Nicholson and Kathleen Turner, does it much better and includes the Mafia.

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Action: The Compromise

The Bourne IdentityMatt Damon plays a government-trained killing machine with severe amnesia and looks smoking hot while doing so. The movie also has great pacing, European settings, and action sequences – you know, for his viewing pleasure.

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Indie: His Pick

Mean Streets
Look, I like Hugo as much as the next guy, but if you really want to remember why Martin Scorsese is a cinematic beast, it's not a bad idea to revisit his first and arguably best work. Mean Streets is lean, difficult, and challenges the viewer in the way that only independent cinema from the '70s can (does that sound super pretentious? That's how I like to sound when talking about indie movies). It also offers a rare glimpse into a New York City that, for better or worse, has all but disappeared (that’s why I live in Philadelphia) and 112 minutes of a very young Robert De Niro acting like a tweaker. How can you not want to watch this?

Her Rebuttal: He's actually made quite a compelling case for this one, but I want to watch my pick.

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Indie: Her Pick

(500) Days of SummerAdorkable Zooey Deschanel and adorable Joseph Gordon-Levitt star in this non-love story about two twenty-somethings falling in and out of love in LA. They even manage to go to IKEA without killing each other, which is something to which we all aspire – at least I do.

His Rebuttal: While I have zero interest in watching this movie, this choice does bring up an interesting question I’m curious about: As a woman, who do you find more attractive, a young Robert De Niro or Joseph Gordon-Levitt? I’m a straight dude who is comfortable enough with his sexuality to recognize that JGL is a handsome man and the ladies love him, but I would imagine that you guys would go for young De Niro over JGL every time. Correct?

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Indie: The Compromise

Dazed and Confused
All right, all right, all right. This is becoming quite the Matthew McConaughey-heavy list. Dazed and Confused has all the time capsule goodness of Mean Streets without having anything to do with IKEA, L.A., or Zooey Deschanel. This is a great movie that makes you long for an adolescence you probably weren't cool enough to ever experience. Good times—I guess. As an added bonus, Dazed and Confused features Matthew McConaughey in the part he was born to play, although you get the sense that he wasn’t actually "playing." McConaughey redeemed. Just keep livin', everyone.

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